ATHLETIC OR OTHER PERFORMANCE SENSING SYSTEMS

• US 20170340277A1
• Filed: 08/14/2017
• Published: 11/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Berner, JR., William E., Shum, Albert, Case, Charles W., Schrock, Allan M., Niegowski, James A., Rauchholz, William F.
• Granted Patent: US 10,251,601 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/00 Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0031 provided with a pocket, e.g. for keys or a card
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt

Abstract

Articles of footwear and other devices include modules, e.g., for sensing physical and/or physiological characteristics associated with use of the footwear or other devices. Such devices may include an authentication or activation system for providing power or otherwise determining the connection of a sensor in the article of footwear.

Claims

1. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper member at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber;

a sole structure engaged with the upper member;

a housing for receiving an electronic module, wherein the housing defines an electronic module receiving chamber formed in or on at least one of the upper member or sole structure;

an electronic module received in the electronic module receiving chamber; and

an activation system for activating an electronic module with the chamber, wherein the activation system includes a member extending from a wall of the housing for extending into an opening, recess, or groove defined in the electronic module.

2. An article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the member extends into the opening, recess, or groove to activate an ON/OFF switch.

3. An article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the member includes a first electrical conductor that makes electrical contact with a second electrical conductor provided in the opening, recess, or groove.

4. An article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein engagement of the member with the opening, recess, or groove at least in part enables electrical connection between the electronic module and a power source located external to the electronic module.

5. An article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the housing is engaged with at least one of the upper member or the sole structure.

6. An article of footwear according to claim 5, wherein the activation system includes a member extending from the electronic module for extending into an opening, recess, or groove defined in the housing or sole structure.

7. An article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the member extends into the opening, recess, or groove to activate an ON/OFF switch.

8. An article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the member includes a first electrical conductor that makes electrical contact with a second electrical conductor provided in the opening, recess, or groove.

9. An article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein engagement of the member with the opening, recess, or groove at least in part enables electrical connection between the electronic module and a power source located external to the electronic module.

10. An article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the activation system includes a member extending from a sock liner or insole element, the member for extending into an opening, recess, or groove defined in the electronic module.

11. An article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the member extends into the opening, recess, or groove to activate an ON/OFF switch.

12. An article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the member includes a first electrical conductor that makes electrical contact with a second electrical conductor provided in the opening, recess, or groove.

13. An article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein engagement of the member with the opening, recess, or groove at least in part enables electrical connection between the electronic module and a power source located external to the electronic module.